Sunday, July 08, 2007

The Devil Dogs - LBMF

The Devil Dogs LBMF EP (Headache, 1994)

I know, I know, the Devil Dogs are surely not an obscure band by any means, they might actually be one of the few bands that had a sort of semi-significant presence outside the strict confines of 90s garage punk. You know, a Rocket From the Crypt or Misfits fan would have one of their CDs lost somewhere under the front seat of their VW. Boy tho', they sure were a polarizing bunch for garage types (then and now), warn't they? For some folks, when they are evoking the term "garage fonzies" (which are those rockin' purists who can't stand any aural cultural input into their party tuneage that's identifiably post-Monterey Pop Festival at the latest) they are thinking of these guys, or more probably, their fan base. It's the occasional horn chart, or the "aw-BAY-buh!" vocal style, or their fucking hair styles, I dunno, but I think it's largely a bum rap. True, their colors run to a synthesis of late 50s greaser and mid-60s chart-bound muscle-pop but their stuff is a lot less determinedly retro than the Cramps of the same era, say. Or Rancid for that matter. Plus if you go through their choices for cover material you are as likely to run into 1977 as 1964. It's not enough to merely rock I suppose for some insecure types who need a whole lifeplan-affirming superstructure to drape themselves over, but rock is about all the Devil Dogs ever did.

It's my recollection that this was the last vinyl to come out while the Devil Dogs were still active, I think they broke up right before or after this thing came out. And look, it's on that Jersey label Headache that's mostly known for hops-worshipping, knuckle-bustin' oi-boy folderol. Don't let the party beat your ass on the way out! -Ryan W.

When I bought the Dog's first LP in the late 80s, I thought of them as an update of Dolls/Ramones NY Punk...of course, those bands had their 50s influences too...I think the Dogs are victims of a leftist prejudice against any influence of 50s culture, lest Joseph McCarthy come back from the grave.

Actually the Devil Dogs weren't as much Fonzies as much they were Bowzers from Sha Na Na. Actually they got long-term disses just cause they unfortunately were "OLD" rockers along the line of the Lazy Cowgirls. (Btw, the singer of the Cowgirls carried his special, pesonal mic in a box. In the era, generally bands shared the house mic, so that is what we would call a "gay affectation", but I digress...) Funny thing, is the Devil Dogs' best moments were on LPS, not this sad single.

Oh, and the Cowgirls had an even worse public image, they weren't even Sha Na Na, they were like a bunch of Long Gone Johns and Al Flipsides, who are lucky Chris Hansen didn't bust creepy fucks in the 90's. And that guy from the Humpers who wore bowler hats.

But if you had to pick a single the Crypt one with "North Shore Bitch" was mucho better. Now, highlight the Barely Legal 7".

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